Snow Day 2015

Last night I easily assumed that I should just go to bed early and set my alarm because there was no way the government was closing regardless of the snow. So to my surprise, when my alarm sounded at 5:30 am and I looked down to see a notification from twitter that Fairfax County had closed I practically yipped for joy before going back to sleep. An adult snow day is practically every hard working adult, parent or grownups dream, right? Truth be told I went through the phases of excitement, job, concern, worry, stress, more stress and than back to bliss. Why, you might ask? To put it simply....work. With 62 clients, low staff, one sick staff member and a supervisor off for medical leave the past few weeks have been full of one chaotic event after another. So after a day off and now two days off I was struggling with the worries of what I will return to and the joy of spending the day with my daughter with an additional break from the chaos. Finally, I settled on the feeling of joy and happiness and decided that being stressed all day just wasn't going to cut it. I checked my phone messages and email and did what I could after a great breakfast, actually being able to watch the news and two cups of coffee.

                          

As a single parent it is so easy to get wrapped up in work, chores, cleaning and every other thing on the to do list that we rarely get to stop and breathe, much less play with our children. I try very hard to make it a priority to spend time with Mia but, that doesn't always happen. Whats worse is when I get short or frustrated when she just wants some mommy time. This is natures way of telling us all to slow down. Take a break she says, be a kid she says. So, I did and boy did we have fun! We cuddled and napped (well she napped I looked up beach houses for the summer), played inside, Skyped with friends and journeyed into the snow. Mia and mommy built her very first snowman and it made me realize that I don't have one single memory of building a snowman alone or with anyone. It is just one more reason that I will do everything in my power to cherish these moments and make sure that Mia has these memories and that we continue to make more. At the end of the day its not about us, its not about work, or how much money you make or how clean the house is, its about the child. Yes there will be days where you can't get everything done, or you miss a big moment or you get overwhelmed with work or things to do, but your child won't remember the few moments like these they will remember the big moments when mommy took a break, playing in the snow, cuddling on the couch.

Top: Me, mom and Great Grandma B, Bottom: Me, daddy, my half-sisters, Great Grandma and the doggies, than finally me and Great Grandma B

   
I am glad that I had this helpful reminder today not only that I can't do everything but that I don't have to. Today I got two wonderful surprises that reminded me how precious time and memories are. First was the snow day and second was the surprise package of childhood photos I got that I had never seen. Now, I certainly can't change my childhood (which had its own wonderful moments), but I can most definitely make sure Mia has the best childhood I can give her. She doesn't need toys, or treats or extra things all she needs is me, and all I need is her. Happy Snow Day 2015!